Romans 13:4

For he is the mesharet (minister, servant) of Hashem to you for HaTov. But if you do HaRah, be afraid. For he does not bear the cherev + 13:4 Ro 8:35 to no purpose. For he is the mesharet of Hashem, an avenger for Charon Af + 13:4 Ro 1:18; 2:8; 3:5; 4:15; 5:9; 9:22; 12:19; 13:4 against the evildoer.

Orthodox Jewish Bible

In The King James Version

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

In Context

3For rulers are not a cause of pachad (terror) to hitnahagut (conduct) that is of HaTov but HaRah. Do you want to be without pachad of memshalah (government)? Do HaTov, and you will have the commendation of the representative of the memshalah.

5Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only on account of the Charon Af of Hashem, but also on account of matzpun (conscience).

Read all of Romans 13

Cross References

Joshua 20:5And if the Go'el HaDahm pursue after him, then they shall not surrender the slayer up into his yad; because he struck his neighbor unwittingly, and not with malice against him beforetime.

1 Kings 10:9Yehi Hashem Eloheicha baruch Who delighted in thee, to set thee on the Kisse Yisroel; because Hashem loved Yisroel l'olam, therefore made He thee Melech, to do mishpat and tzedakah.

Psalms 82:2Ad mosai (How long) will ye judge unjustly, 1 and show partiality to the resha'im? 1 Selah 1

Proverbs 20:2The wrath of a melech is as the roaring of a lion; 1 he who provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own nefesh. 1

Proverbs 20:26A melech chacham winnows out the resha'im 1 and bringeth the ofan (threshing wheel) over them. 1

Proverbs 31:8Open thy peh (mouth) for the illem (mute) 1 in the cause of all such as are bnei chalof (sons of destitution). 1

Matthew Henry on Romans 13:2-7

Obedience to Magistrates Enforced. ( a. d. 58.) 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Romans 13:4